Your MAMA misses you!
The Midwest Automotive Media Association invites you to attend the 2024 MAMA Spring Rally in Elkhart Lake, WI., from Tuesday, May 21, through Thursday, May 23. Celebrating our 32nd anniversary (check out the video of our founding!) as the premiere automotive association, we will once again offer our media members lodging at The Osthoff Resort, performance driving and a full day of off-roading at Road America, scenic on-road routes, a sophisticated autocross to highlight vehicle handling, and presentations by automakers and suppliers.
A few changes introduced in 2023 will carry over to 2024:
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New protocols will be implemented for on-track safety, including dividing up the day into two waves (experienced drivers and beginners/novice; beginners will be required to take ride-alongs with pros before driving on the track). We will also have more floating driving instructors for all members to take advantage of.
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A dedicated content creation session for a predetermined group of new vehicles will again be held on the morning of Day 2 for media members to take photos or film stand up videos.
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Breakfast on Day 2 again will take place at Road America.
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Pending sponsorships we will have Karting, Autocross, 4 Miles of Fitness, plus Track Safety briefing, and a host of downhome Midwestern networking opportunities.
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Back by popular demand, the Enthusiasts’ Paddock invites attending media members and manufacturers to showcase their own unique, collector, or classic vehicles at Road America.
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MAMA’s Favorites returns! Details below.
VEHICLE ENTRY
As you make your vehicle selections for the 2024 Spring Rally, we ask you to keep in mind that the track cars are the hottest commodity at Road America, but journalists are also interested in testing and covering everything that is new. Consider bringing multiple models in different trims, such as one vehicle with an off-road trim on the off-road course, and the same vehicle with a posh trim for street drives.
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Entry fee is $2,500 for up to six vehicles. Additional vehicles may be added at a cost of $425 each, with a cost cap of $5,000. This covers the cost of the track, off-road course, autocross, meals, etc. Please inform your fleet provider and Robby DeGraff, VP of Events, as well as Robert Duffer, President, of the cars you’d like to bring. We’ll help you get them sorted into MAMA’s Favorites categories, as well as track, off-road, or other drive courses. Our contact info is in the signature below.
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If you would like a credit-card invoice payable through Zelle or PayPal (no account needed), email Treasurer Kelley Enright at treasurer@mamaonline.org. Zelle is preferred to avoid costly PayPal fees. Please advise if you have any special invoicing requirements or would like to pay via check.
VEHICLE WAIVERS
We will distribute digital vehicle waivers to all attendees via email prior to the event, due by May 1. Please submit waivers for your participating vehicles to G. Schmitz, DriveShop, or Vice President Robby DeGraff at VP@mamaonline.org.
HIGH-HORSEPOWER VEHICLES
Due to the special nature of high-horsepower vehicles, we offer specific arrangements for them. If you are bringing a vehicle that makes 500 or more horsepower, you have the following options:
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You can provide your own driver.
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We can provide a professional race-driving instructor who drives your car.
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We can provide a professional race-driving instructor who rides along in the passenger seat with the journalist.
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You can decide not to have a driver or instructor ride along.
You can take advantage of our instructors for $300 each, which is our cost to make them available. The fee covers their time, room and board for the day. MAMA will also provide floating instructors available to members in any car. Please let us know ASAP if you need any instructors and how many. If you decide to bring your own instructor, you will be responsible for their accommodations, but they are welcome to join all our meals at no extra cost.
MAMA’s FAVORITES AWARDS
As an added incentive to attend, the association will once again be voting for MAMA’s FAVORITE VEHICLES in seven categories, including Family Vehicle, Luxury Vehicle, Performance Vehicle, Plug-In Vehicle, Off-Road Vehicle, Pickup Truck and Affordable Vehicle. A vehicle is eligible for an award by meeting the following criteria: it has participated in at least one MAMA drive event in 2024 (Spring Rally, Chicago Drives Electric, Fall Fest); it’s new, redesigned, or significantly refreshed; models can qualify in multiple categories based on automaker input, as long as it’s only one model trim per category (for example, if you bring two of the same three-row SUVs, and have one on street drives and the other on the off-road course, then it can be considered for both awards).
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During the Spring Rally, MAMA members will vote to determine who the finalists are of the six aforementioned categories. We will announce the 2024 Spring Rally category winners within one week after the Rally. Hashtag early, hashtag often: #MAMA24SR
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Later in the fall, MAMA members will have the chance to drive and vote for any additional category finalists at our two other events: Chicago Drives Electric and MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest.
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Towards the end of the year after all three drive events, MAMA members will vote again to narrow-down the list to seven category finalists before voting for the overall MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of 2025.
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The winning MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of 2025 and the seven category winners will be announced at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show.
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If you have any questions about MAMA’s Favorites, please contact Robby DeGraff at VP@mamaonline.org or Tim Healey at thealey@thetruthaboutcars.com
ARRIVAL AND ACCOMMODATIONS
We will once again be staying at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Manufacturers are asked to make their own hotel reservations. For reservations call: 920-876-3366 and ask for the “MAMA special rate.”
Please note: Book early, the MAMA room block at The Osthoff Resort closes April 30, 2024.
If you are joining us for the first time, please note that accommodations at The Osthoff Resort can be booked as a suite with two bedrooms and two bathrooms for two guests, or single rooms can be booked.
We invite you to arrive on Tuesday, May 21, and join us for a classic Wisconsin Fish Fry (and brats) at 6:30 p.m. Let us know if you will be joining us on the associated Registration Form.
For your reference, make sure you add a half hour to an hour to your drive times if you will be passing through Chicago during rush hour. In general, drive times from area airports to Elkhart Lake are as follows:
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
We will provide a more detailed schedule of events prior to your arrival in Elkhart Lake, but for travel purposes, the general schedule will be as follows:
Tuesday, May 21
Wednesday, May 22
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7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Registration opens at Road America
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7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Breakfast (Sponsor: Toyota)
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9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Track, Street, and Off-Road Drives
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12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (Sponsor: Hyundai)
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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Karting (Sponsor: OPEN)
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4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 4-Miles of Fitness (Sponsor: OPEN)
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6 p.m. Cocktail Reception at The Osthoff Resort (Sponsor: OPEN)
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7 p.m. Keynote Dinner at the Osthoff (Sponsor: OPEN)
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9 p.m. Siebkens Afterglow (Sponsor: OPEN)
Thursday, May 23
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7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Checkout of The Osthoff Resort
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7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Video content/stand up capture at Road America (Sponsor: OPEN)
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7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast at Road America (Sponsor: Subaru)
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9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Autocross (Sponsor: OPEN)
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9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. MAMA’s Favorites street drives
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12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch and MAMA’s Favorites voting (Sponsor: Cars.com)
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1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Raffle and Social Media Award winners (Sponsor: OPEN)
NOTE: There are still sponsorship opportunities open, including for presentations and several other secondary sponsorships. Contact MAMA President Robert Duffer robert.duffer@internetbrands.com for more info.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
General Rally, Sponsorship, and Vehicle Entry Questions:
MAMA President Robert Duffer: 312.296.4210 or robert.duffer@internetbrands.com or president@mamaonline.org
MAMA VP of Events Robby DeGraff: 414.916.4229 or robby.degraff@autopacific.com or VP@mamaonline.org
Vehicle Waiver Questions:
Send to G. Schmitz or Drive Shop, or contact Robby DeGraff: 414.916.4229 or robby.degraff@autopacific.com or VP@mamaonline.org
Rooming Questions:
Kelley Enright: 708.205.7276 or kelley.enright@stellantis.com or treasurer@mamaonline.org
Hope to see you there! As former Ford CEO Alex Trotman said back in the beginning, “You never say no to MAMA.”
MAMA Spring Rally Team
